Nothing... you'd still want to lock this up to something. And at $600 for just the wheel that's increasing your chance of it being stolen as well, bikes get stolen far too often.
It looks like this wheel is using a standard quick release. If that's the case it would be fairly easy to take out. Couple of options though:
- When locking the bike, run the lock through the wheel. Yes, someone could still cut the spokes and steal the main hub, but this is going to take q fair amount of effort.
- Have a bolt on version, lots of older bikes, or bikes which use a horizontal dropout design already have this. Typically they use 15mm wrenches, but there are some alternative sizes (some even use hex keys).
Looks like a pretty cool concept. I personally would prefer a model which only gained energy from the rider when coasting down hills or braking, then could release the energy at the riders discretion. Plugging a bike into an external power source isn't something that interests me.
The quick release in the video and the photos is used only for demonstrational purposes in the prototype phase. The final product will come with anti-theft screws that can only be used with a custom made wrench.
Of course the features of locking the motor and tracking the Smart Wheel via GPS are still helpfull in case someone still decides to steal it.
